Local News – Thursday, December 1st, 2022
The update to the Flood Insurance Rate Map for Dent County is nearing completion. The new map will provide communities in Dent County with up‐to‐date flood risk information and tools that can be used to enhance local mitigation plans, and help local officials and residents make informed decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance. The local mapping project is being completed to make minor updates to the maps that became effective in 2020. The work in Dent County has been led by the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in partnership with local community officials. During the past couple of years, community officials throughout the county have worked closely with SEMA to ensure the floodplain maps provide an accurate picture of flood risks. This information will ensure that homes and businesses are insured appropriately against flooding, while also helping to make more informed decisions about how to protect Dent County from what might otherwise be devastating flood events. The new map is still a preliminary version. Dent County officials encourage property owners and lessees to review the proposed Flood Insurance Rate Map to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements, and to identify any concerns or questions about the information provided. The maps can be viewed in person at the Dent County Courthouse.
Have you seen this year’s Tree and Trains Exhibit yet? It’s at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. The Salem Area Community Betterment Association are sponsoring Trees and Trains this year! This Saturday, Trees and Trains will hold an evening open house from 7:00 until 9:00 with additional activities for those in attendance. And no Trees and Trains event is complete without a visit from Santa! He will be at the Creative Arts Center next to the ONCRC Saturday, December 17th and Sunday, December 18th from 2:00 until 5:00 with the Trees and Trains Exhibit also open at that time. This community event is only possible with the support of numerous organizations, businesses and individuals creating a unique collection of beautiful Christmas trees complimented by fun trains. SACBA also wants to send out their heart felt appreciation to all the volunteers who give of their time during the holidays to make this event special. Donations are encouraged to thank the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center for hosting this festive event!
Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 197,724 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season, which ran from November 12th through 22nd. Of the 197,724 deer harvested, 102,633 were antlered bucks, 16,929 were button bucks, and 78,162 were does. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 4,175 deer harvested, Texas with 3,609, and Callaway with 3,416. Top counties in our area were Dent County which harvested 2,537 deer, Shannon County had 2,366 deer tagged, hunters harvested 1,754 in Phelps County, Crawford County had 2,473 deer checked, and Reynolds County hunters checked in 1,625 deer. Last year hunters checked 188,928 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season with 102,054 being antlered bucks, 16,537 being button bucks, and 70,337 being does. The department noted that the colder weather during the season likely resulted in increased deer movements, contributing to this year’s higher harvest total. MDC reported one non-fatal firearms-related hunting incident during the November portion of the firearms deer season. It was self-inflicted and occurred in Bollinger County. Missouri’s archery deer and turkey season resumes now through January 15th, 2023. The antlerless portion of firearms deer season runs December 3rd through December 11th in open counties followed by the alternative methods portion running from Christmas Eve through January 3rd, 2023. You can get more information about deer season and hunting regulations from MDC’s 2022 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.
The Creative Arts Center will be offering a Wheat Weaving Christmas Ornament class with Suzanne Douglass on Saturday December 3rd from 10:00 in the morning until Noon. Tied straw stars have been a traditional Christmas decoration throughout Europe for centuries. Two types of these beautiful stars will be taught during the class. The first is a five-point tied star made from the whole wheat straw. The second is a delicate snow crystal made of a form with split straw. The cost is $15 to make one ornament or $25 to make two ornaments. Walk-ins are welcome.! Call or text 573-247-0651, or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look under programs for the Salem Creative Arts Center to sign up for the class.
Time is running out on you, your business or organization if would like to have a display at the “Light up the Park 2022” event this year at the Salem City Park. please get in touch with Salem Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois at 729-6290 or send her an e-mail her at salemparks@salemmo.com. The event will be held December 3rd and last until the 31st.